A most enjoyable evening was held at Litherland Masonic Hall by the brethren attending who were there to see Russell Skidmore being installed as WM of Lathom Lodge No 2229 by Kevin Poynton.
The lodge was opened by the current master, Kevin Poynton, who thanked all the brethren of Lathom Lodge for their assistance over the past year, with specific thanks to David Sullivan for his sterling work as treasurer. After which the lodge was opened in the second degree and the director of ceremonies David Boyes retired from the lodge.
Kevin Poynton then opened the lodge in the third degree and David re-entered the lodge and informed Kevin that Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle was without and demanded admission. Kevin said he would be pleased to receive him and Andrew accompanied by Graham Chambers, the Ormskirk and Bootle Group Chairman, along with grand and acting Provincial grand officers entered the lodge.
Kevin welcomed Andrew and offered him the gavel of the lodge and said that he hoped he had an enjoyable evening. Andrew returned the gavel saying he knew that Kevin had prepared for the ceremony and was looking forward to doing it. Salutations were then given by the brethren to Andrew.
Master elect Russell Skidmore was presented by Mark Holloway to the master for the benefit of installation The installing officers were; senior warden Malcolm Sandywell, junior warden Simon Gregg and inner guard Peter Kelly. Once Russel was installed in the chair of King Solomon, Kevin presented the working tools in all three degrees.
The address to the master was given by Stephen Bousfield, the address to the wardens was given by Andrew Whittle and the addresses to the brethren of the lodge was given by Kevin Poynton. Following the address to the brethren, Andrew was presented with a donation that the lodge had made to Zoe’s Place for the value of £500. Andrew thanked the brethren of the lodge for their donations and congratulated Kevin for everything he had done in the past year.
All the brethren then retired to the dining room for a festive board of pate and granary toast, roast chicken and sage and onion stuffing, apple pie and custard. During the evening, charities were honoured and raised the following amounts: £29 in WLFC envelopes, £25 in lodge MCF envelopes and £112.87 cash, with a further £215 being raised at the festive board, totalling £381.87.
